re: lawn mowing (ditch digging, shit shoveling, surfboard sanding, etc...)

General Discussion
1

Being Happy With Your Job

In our search to define ourselves, we often look to our job to show us our worth. Society does not judge all professions equally, however, and it is not uncommon for the individuals who hold what others may consider to be ordinary or menial jobs to feel that they themselves are ordinary or menial. Yet, in truth, many wonderful and wise people throughout history have held what have typically been perceived as ordinary jobs, and this in no way has had any bearing on whether or not they have managed to contribute their skills and talents to the world. Whether you work in business, education, medicine, retail, or another profession, you worth is inherent to who you are and not what you do for a living.

A job that you enjoy, lets you meet your needs, and allows you to live in accordance with your values will always be more gratifying than a high-status job that you dislike. But while experiencing professional satisfaction can be a vital part of being fulfilled by your work, it is important to remember that it is possible to find happiness in any job. This is because what you do is often less important than how you do it. Your attitude and intention can turn a mediocre job into work that fulfills you because of the way that you approach it. If you do your job well and what you do benefits others, then you are doing work that is making this world a better place.

If you are happy in your current line of work and feel that it allows you to be yourself and live authentically while meeting your emotional and physical needs and allowing time for you to enjoy the fruits of your labor, then you have found a job that adds value to your life. If you are a waitress, then be the best waitress you can, take pride in your work and others will notice your passion. You can contribute your talents and skills to this world while doing any job. It is not the kind of work you do that allows you to be of service. It is you who must choose to be of service through the work that you do.

2

Yeah yeah yeah…

But what car do you drive…???..

3
Quote:

But what car do you drive…???..

I don’t have to…

My Chauffeur takes care of that while my maid, butler and yard man takes care of the other incidentals of life for me…

just kidding of course

that’s my sister not me…

Also like my my dad always said, never do anything half-assed…

I think Duke felt the same way…

Nice one John…

couldn’t agree more

And give someone a hug today…

you won’t regret it…

4

and on the other hand, there are some jobs that do indeed suck. Including the one where my last day is tomorrow…

doc…

5

Up until 12 months ago I had been working in the composite boatbuilding industry for close to 25 years. And for the most part enjoyed every moment of it. Some of the factories I worked in left allot to be desired as far as conditions were concerned and sometimes the moral was a little low. I think it takes a certain kind of personality to work in the boatbuilding industry. It is a hard, dirty, smelly and dangerous occupation. And the majority of the people I have been lucky enough to work with share the same sense of humor as I do. It was often said. You don’t need to be mad to be a boatbuilder but it helps.

12 months ago the company I had been working for, for 9 years decided to relocate interstate. I decided to take a redundancy and during the time prior to finishing up, myself and a number of workmates secured new jobs at a nearby boatbuilding factory. To cut along story short I only lasted one day at this new job. I needed a change. I had been doing ding repairs and restorations as a sideline for some years. This is what I wanted to do as a full-time job. So I bit the bullet and had a go. I now wish that I had decided to do this years ago. It is still a dirty, smelly and potentially dangerous job. But if it gets too much, at least I can pack up and go for a surf. Things are going well. The business is growing and I am allot more relaxed than I was 12 months ago.

I will never become a millionaire doing what I do. Some people ask how do you stand the smell and the dust? I must admit it does give me the shits sometimes. But it is what I know. It (composites) has been a part of me for all but 25 years. The feeling one gets when somebody comes and picks up their newly restored log and their jaw drops to the ground and they can’t remove the grin from their face. That is worth a million bucks to me. This is when I know what I do is worth while, Worth the effort. platty.

6

Platty! Good fo’ you Braddah! Go for it. I’m right behind you in life myself. McDing

7

So am I: re-opening Guéthary Surfboards after a five-years break during which I (re)-discovered that I definitely didn’t like to work for somebody else but myself, even if it doesn’t pay that much… Life is short, better to do what you do best (and like best).

8

thanks, john…

9

spoken well

a manifesto close to the heart of the independant

taking a step aside from the headlong rush

to the narrowing gate where competitive

attitudes and avarice dominate the human spirit.

the narrow gate does’nt foster higher humanity.

the goal of contribution and acceptance

rings of sufi teaching.The noble spirited

train conductor or rubbish collector

will become a respectable spirit in advanced age

where the mean spirited contender

will likely expire at the narrow gate

before ever passing through to recieve

the grand promises of fame riches and glory.

And if you become real good at rationalizing

the well done menial job

will derive a satisfaction

that will linger far longer than

the wilting laurel wreath

tarnished trophy

and misspent youth .

ditch digging-Irish Tai Chi

shit shoveling-assemblig ingredients for excellent compost

surfboard sanding-the man that fixes all the assembled mistakes

etc.-everything that the incapable leave for the geniuis problem solvers.

…ambrose…

flying like a…

can be high impact in the end

although…snatching one from the point from under the

dripping saliva of the maddening herd

can be simple/complex bliss

heh heh

albeit a solo wave a mile away from 1/8 mile reef on the mat

invisible to all but the lifeguards binoculars

is an imeasurable accompplishment.

…ambrose…

thanks dale

for access to the lowered bar

10

Wisdom.

I worked for years in the boatbuilding industry, then for contractors, furntiure makers and architectural woodworkers. I loved the work… but got laborers wages. Never saved money, never had health insurance, no paid vacations, contributed only the most paltry sums towards reitrement.

When I got married and had a kid I figured I better move on up. I now teach middle school in LA. It is the opposite of my previous jobs. Monasteries prize manual labor. It aids contemplation. As you’re sanding (or ditch digging) you can think about god, the meaning of life and/or 6’ Rincon. Teaching a class of up to forty 11-15 year olds is like psychological warfare, a constant battle for control. You definitely don’t have time for contemplating the mysteries of infinity (except, as now, during my conference period). It is the most stressful job in America (going by job drop out rates…we lose about 25 teachers every year out of a staff of 100).

I sometimes feel like I sold out. I really miss sanding wood (and even fiberglass!). But I do have 3 months of paid vacation each year, full benefits and a place close to the beach.

If anyone knows someone in the LA area who will pay me $40 an hour (plus benefits) to sand, dig ditches or…well, let’s skip the shoveling…let me know!

11

Hey thanks all, really gives me perspective. Its also part of discovery of yourself . . .

But I’m beginning to see outside. I know I am worthy. My existence is proof of my place in the universe. Though the awesomeness of the Creator, I know my worth is independent of what others think of me. It cannot be gotten though material means, it cannot be gotten by actions. Not by owning as much treasure as human eyes can see, or having extraordinary abilities, it is fueled by a belief that I exist for a reason, the One who set all things in motion decided to carefully craft my being. Can I live in that belief? This is my story . . .

12

I didn’t write it.

13

one of the most satisfying jobs i had was cleaning out some stall that had 30 years or so of shit build-up.talk about the stench of ammonia-whew! some places in the corners, it was caked in over waist high.after a week or so the job was complete and they place looked like new(well, almost). tomorrow i will be wading around in the shit again and lovin’ every minute of it!!!yeee-haw!!!

14

how about “porn star”

ive always wanted to be a porn star :wink:

hey john

i agree with your sentiment

i only wish

cops,lawyers,government workers,salesman and parking inspectors had the same philosophy

i hate work full stop

i define myself by my love and creative spirit

not by the way i raise some cash

15

i agree with that for the most part. but i will throw a job so menial and degrading that no one last more than 4 years in the postion. Beach Staff. Imagine having to walk up and down along the beach when the waves are perfect and it’s really hot out and you can’t go in the water. it’s torture. On top of that you ge paid poorly and everyone else is fed up with the job the first day of summer. really makes you appreciate the good jobs.

16

close. Very, very close.

What’s worse? Running a surf shop. Where everybody comes back from the beach and tells you how good it was, ‘you really should have closed, man’…

onliest little problem with that is that if you did that once, and ‘you really should have’ comes by for a bar of wax, he’ll not only never darken your door again, he’ll start telling everybody that you went out of business or something equally helpful.

before work, maybe, except You Really will be there and be telling you about the board he got someplace else, why don’t you carry those instead of what you have ( they suck, is why, as does the company) .

After work… well, if you can get to the beach from the lot before the sun goes down without half the surfing population stopping you to bum wax, ask questions, bitch, moan, generally piss away your time… and you can’t blow 'em off if you want to have a viable shop.

Me, I like after the shop is closed for the season. Ideally, in another country where they don’t speak english. And your chances of bumping into a customer are slim to none.

look, after running a shop for the same guy for over 20 years…damn, almost 30…for a guy who is a dear and good friend besides who pays me all he reasonably can for the job without him going under, it’s still not a whole lot better money than stocking shelves.

meanwhile…

Quote:

But I’m beginning to see outside. I know I am worthy. My existence is proof of my place in the universe. Though the awesomeness of the Creator, I know my worth is independent of what others think of me. It cannot be gotten though material means, it cannot be gotten by actions. Not by owning as much treasure as human eyes can see, or having extraordinary abilities, it is fueled by a belief that I exist for a reason, the One who set all things in motion decided to carefully craft my being. Can I live in that belief? This is my story . . .

alas…

your existence is like mine, proof that if someone or something made all this, he or it enjoys a good chuckle at least as much as the next creator. Consider the platypus, the great bustard, the quayle. And these are fairly successful species.

your worth is, alas like mine, no better than anyone else’s. Indeed, the dimmest, most useless fool on the planet thinks they have it all over you. Just ask them. And the really scary thing is that at least one of them may be right.

Actions, right actions ( to swipe a zen term ) increase ones worth to oneself. Temporarily, until ( like Newtonian physics) an equal and opposite reaction come along to bring you to a screeching halt.

Owning treasure may not increase one’s worth. But then again, a good Barca-Lounger makes being worthless far more comfortable. Especially the kind that vibrate.

And you can never have enough warm socks. Especially in wet weather.

Having extraordinary abilities helps. It really does. Does Superman have to wait for elevators or deal with commuter traffic? naaah.

Lastly…when the Great Hairy Whatever set things in motion to create my being…I kinda wonder if he stopped to read the instructions first. I mean, teeth for instance. A grinding apparatus made of modified bones that stick through the skin and can be attacked and damaged by the very juices the mouth produces in combination with the foods that said mouth likes to have in it. The spine… look, you want something to stand upright for any length of time, you don’t give it a supporting structure that combines the least useful properties of a bicycle chain and a layer cake with a little bit of slinky thrown in for laughs. Let alone human male reproductive apparatus - what kind of argument for ‘intelligent design’ is that? Design, maybe, but intelligent? The first small accident climbing a tree teaches any boy that ‘this isn’t the best place to put those’.

… lets put it this way, the main wonder of the human body is that it functions at all. The human mind? uhmmmmmm - if that is meant to, in a small way, reproduce the mind of a creator, then I think the creator is really Jerry Lewis, maybe Billy Connolly or possibly Steven Wright. There are some decidedly weird things going on. Pick up any newspaper…

Now, me…if I was put on earth for a reason besides being part of a massive joke, it was and remains so that I can have a good time. Which on occasion may consist mostly of watching my fellow punch lines go about their parts in the Grand Joke.

But hey, it beats whatevers second…

doc…

17

Oh god a surfshop employee! my friend basically runs one, it’s not his but he runs the place. Recently they moved from this tiny 8x15foot shop that always had the local groms hanging out, it was a trip. but rent there was too much and they moved to a bigger better store for less money. but yea people always are bitching and moaning about how something.“my wheels cracked on my skateboard after a week of heavy riding” “you don’t carry cool clothing[roxy and other such mainstream brands]” a surf shop would be tough. I geuss they preform a nessacary evil to the people wo run them

18

its quail.

19
Quote:

its quail.

Well, no. Quail make sense: small, fairly fast flying and tasty game birds, nice roasted with wild rice, a slice of pancetta over 'em lest they dry out and a tangerine glaze.

On the other hand…

20
Quote:

close. Very, very close.

What’s worse? Running a surf shop. Where everybody comes back from the beach and tells you how good it was, ‘you really should have closed, man’…

onliest little problem with that is that if you did that once, and ‘you really should have’ comes by for a bar of wax, he’ll not only never darken your door again, he’ll start telling everybody that you went out of business or something equally helpful.

…

doc…

That’s why I was never tempted to get into that business at any level. You really do need to be open when the customers need/want to buy merchandise (or at minimum, during the hours advertised), and there is a large overlap with times of good waves. And the customer who gets PO’d because he showed up on Tuesday at 9:30AM to find a shop locked, then waited around for a half-hour to no avail, when the sign in the door said “Hours: Mon thru Fri 9:00AM-5:00PM, Sat 10-6”, really does have a legitimate bitch, waves or no waves. No customer service quickly equates to no customers in a competitive retail business. Ocean City has probably had 25 surf shops during the time I’ve been surfing (I really don’t want to do that math this morning :slight_smile: At the peak in the early 70’s, probably 10 of those were in business at the same time. Today there are 2, Surfer’s Supplies and Heritage Surf & Sport. Supplies is in it’s 44th year, Heritage has been in business nearly 40 (OC is its 2nd location, that is the tenure of the main Sea Isle store). Both have philosophies that acknowledge the primacy of customer service and other business realities. A handful of the shops that didn’t survive went belly up because there was no one for a retiring owner to pass the business to, but most were the type that would close on the spur of the moment if there was a swell, and many of those wouldn’t even bother to change the “Open” sign on their way out. One guy was not only a surfer, but a competitive race sailor. The only time his shop was open was when there was neither waves nor wind…

-Samiam